Overview in Negombo

Negombo, Sri Lanka · History, Day Trips, Food, Animals, Literature · USD 130

Private Sigiriya and Dambulla day tour from Colombo or Negombo with an elephant safari. Car US$130 (1–3) or van US$200 (4–7); pickup at 6:30 or 7:30 am. Our private Sigiriya day trip from Colombo brings together three of the Cultural Triangle’s best experiences in one day: the painted caves of the Dambulla Cave Temple, the climb up Sigiriya Rock Fortress and an afternoon jeep safari among wild elephants. Choose a 6:30 am or 7:30 am pickup from your hotel in Colombo, Negombo or near the airport, and travel in your own air-conditioned car or van with an English-speaking driver. The price covers your private return transport: US$130 for 1 to 3 people in a car, or US$200 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets and the safari jeep are extra; we can book a private jeep for you for US$60 in the booking box. Private Sigiriya and Dambulla day tour from Colombo or Negombo The day starts with the drive north, about 3.5 hours, to the Dambulla Cave Temple, five painted caves filled with Buddha statues. Next comes Sigiriya Rock: walk through the water gardens, see the frescoes and the Lion Gate, and climb to the palace ruins on the summit. After lunch, a jeep safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park, whichever has the herds that day, rounds off the trip before the drive home. Day trips from Negombo to Sigiriya Staying in Negombo or near Bandaranaike International Airport? Negombo is a little closer to Sigiriya than Colombo, so the drive is shorter. We pick up from any hotel in Negombo or the airport area at no extra cost, which makes this a great first or last day in Sri Lanka. Is a day trip to Sigiriya from Colombo worth it? Yes, if you have one free day. It is a long day of around 15 hours, but you see two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and wild elephants without changing hotels. For a slower pace, add a night near Sigiriya and climb at sunrise. Read more about the rock on our Sigiriya Rock Fortress page. Want to stay the night? See our 1 night 2 day Sigiriya Dambulla itinerary, with a night near the rock and a sunrise climb of Sigiriya or Pidurangala. More day trips from Colombo This is one of our private day trips from Colombo and Negombo. Staying in Kandy instead? Try our Sigiriya day trip from Kandy. Want to see more ancient cities? Our Colombo to Polonnaruwa day trip adds the royal city of Polonnaruwa to your Sigiriya climb. See all day trips from Colombo → Highlights - Sigiriya day trip from Colombo or Negombo, pickup at 6:30 or 7:30 am - Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site - Visit the painted Dambulla Cave Temple - Afternoon elephant safari in Minneriya or Kaudulla - Private air-conditioned car (1–3 people) or van (4–7 people) with an English-speaking driver - Transport from US$130 · add a private jeep for US$60 · entrance tickets extra Itinerary Your driver collects you from your hotel in Colombo, Negombo or near the airport at the time you choose when booking: 6:30 am or 7:30 am. After about 3.5 hours on the road, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple, five caves painted with murals and filled with Buddha statues, high on a rock above the town. Remove your shoes and cover your shoulders and knees. Drive 30 minutes to Sigiriya. Walk through the water and boulder gardens, see the frescoes and the Mirror Wall, pass the giant lion paws and climb to the palace ruins on the summit. Lunch at a local restaurant near Sigiriya (not included). Your driver will take you to a good place nearby. Head to Minneriya or Kaudulla National Park, whichever has the elephant herds that day, for a jeep safari until the park closes. The jeep is extra; we can book a private jeep for you for US$60. After the safari, start the drive back to Colombo or Negombo, arriving at your hotel at about 10:00 pm. What’s included Included - Private air-conditioned car or van for the whole day - English-speaking driver - Hotel pickup and drop-off in Colombo, Negombo or the airport area - Fuel, parking fees and highway tolls Not included - Sigiriya and Dambulla entrance tickets - Safari jeep (private 4x4 jeep for US$60, can be added when you book) and park tickets - Meals and drinks - Tips for your driver (optional) FAQs Sigiriya is about 175 km from Colombo, roughly 4 hours by road, and about 3.5 hours from Negombo and the airport. Yes. Our Sigiriya day trip from Colombo picks you up at 6:30 or 7:30 am, visits the Dambulla Cave Temple and Sigiriya Rock, adds an afternoon elephant safari and brings you back at about 10:00 pm. Private return transport costs US$130 for 1 to 3 people in a car or US$200 for 4 to 7 people in a van. Entrance tickets and the safari jeep (US$60 if you book it with us) are extra. Yes. We pick up from hotels in Colombo, Negombo and near Bandaranaike International Airport at no extra cost. The safari is part of the day, but the jeep and park tickets are extra. You can add a private jeep for US$60 for up to 6 people in the booking box. Most people take 2 to 3 hours to climb Sigiriya Rock and come back down. There are about 1,200 steps. Yes, around 15 hours door to door. If you prefer a slower pace, we can add a night near Sigiriya and climb at sunrise the next morning. Comfortable shoes for the climb, and clothes that cover your shoulders and knees for the Dambulla Cave Temple. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen.